"Looking Ahead"

Victory Can Be Yours!

Article #53—“Looking Ahead”

I read a quote from a very popular (conservative) Hollywood star, “As I enjoy my twilight years, I am often struck by the inevitability that the party must end.  There will be a clear, cold morning when there isn’t any ‘more’.”  I feel certain that if we were to visit with this person for a moment that he would possibly rephrase that statement somewhat.  However, it is terribly important for us to know in our hearts and minds that we are all going to reach that end of this life, but, the morning will not be a cold morning when there isn’t anymore.  Instead, there will be the warmest and most beautiful thing we will have ever experienced.  The party did not end but has just begun and best of all, it will last for eternity with Jesus Christ.  We, in our finite minds, cannot even image the greatness of that moment.  Paul stated, “we are of good courage, I say, and prefer rather to be absent from the body and to be at home with the Lord.” (2 Cor. 5:8)  Paul, also stated, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Rom. 8:18) 

            We do not know what lies ahead for us when this life is over but we have many places in Scripture that help us to know that it will be great beyond imagination.  Jesus said, “In my Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you.  If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also.” (John 14:2, 3)  What an exciting promise made by Jesus Himself.  If God made the dwelling places, they are perfect in every way.  If Jesus promises to receive you when your life on earth is over, and He promises that where you are He will be also, how can your future be anything but warm and beautiful?  This is something to be longing for.  We are trapped in this world full of sin, corruption, and suffering.  The Scripture says that, “For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.” (Rom. 8:19)  The earth, along with all else was cursed by God for the sin of Adam in the Garden of Eden.  “For we know that the whole creation groans and suffers the pains of childbirth together until now.  And not only this, but also we ourselves; having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our body.” (Rom 8: 22, 23) 

            We have known many times the loss of life for a young person whether by health reason or accident and heard said, ‘they had so much life ahead of them’.  That is certainly true.  When our life on this earth comes to an end, it is really the beginning for a life free from sin, death, corruption, and suffering and full of beauty, love, and peace just as God created for us that was spoiled in the Garden of Eden by sin.  When someone has a birthday, some say, ‘it is better than the alternative’.   Is it?  What do you think?  For me, the alternative beats anything I can imagine.

            You, too, can have victory in Jesus!  More to follow.

Lowell Parrish